Irshad Manji at the Mayfair - 21 Sept 2011

Irshad Manji at the Mayfair - 21 Sept 2011, a set on Flickr.

The author and newly-minted NYU professor returned to Ottawa for another interview by CBC News ancher Lucy van Oldenbarneveld at the Mayfair Theatre, courtesy of the Ottawa International Writers Festival.

While it wasn't Prof. Manji's first visit to Ottawa, or her first session with van Oldenbarneveld, it was the first time I'd ever been to a WritersFest event held with a police security detail.

We got plenty of long-winded answers to questions - which host and subject alike had fun making jokes about - but no more than that.

Planning to read her books at some point, though, along with the Qu'ran itself. Seems appropriate to add them to my literary "bucket list".

Counting Down to CAN-CON 2011

I've been meaning to get back "out there" in the convention and book sale circuit, and this convention newly revived was - is - part of an ongoing, improvised plan of solving that matter.

I'll be sitting on a few panel discussions telling tales and pretending that I have useful advice to give, but in reality, I'll be there to learn. From the other panellists, from the audience, from the rest of the CAN-CON 2011 organizers.

Two more days, and I'll see whichever of you cares to attend there.